Review of Sign of Affection

Covers of A Sign of Affection 3 & 4

 It's been a while since I was able to read and review Signs of Affection books 1&2 by suu Morishita. But when I was finally able to sit down with these two volumes I posted through the story of Yuki as she navigates a relationship with her crush. The story is well crafted and engaging even for a new manga reader. The integration of sign language and speech makes for a delightful real juxtaposition into the world of Yuki and her companions. 

A GIRL AND A BOY 

Yuki is unsure of herself and pushed by her best friend begins spending more time with her crush,
Itsuomi, an upper classman at her college. She is deaf and sheltered, as seen in previous volumes. While he is a world traveler who has lived abroad. Their worlds have collided, and they are beginning to see each other differently. He began learning sign and not looking for a relationship but fell for Yuki. She was shy and uncertain but had a crush on him from an early meeting.  

THE RELATIONSHIP 

Morishita (2021 a&b) skillfully draws the reader into this blossoming romance as Yuki and Itsuomi get to know one another and learn to communicate. The images demonstrate a cute relationship that their friends are surprised by but support. Each new step from holding hands to a kiss and then staying at his house are seen with a caution from Yuki and lead to Itsuomi learning the boundaries she has. The way the characters are open with one another is amazing and depicts a culture different than my own. 

THE RIVAL 

One person not happy with the relationship is an old friend/bully of Yuki's, Oushi. He is unhappy with the relationship as it grows and as book four ends there is a confrontation which we will have to read
about on the next volume. This reality will show if Oushi's caution with Yuki is warranted it if he simply has always had a crush on her as his sister seems to indicate in volume three. 

REFLECTION 

I relate to Yuki in fears of relationships...how does one act and what is expected. This story reflects the fear of many who are seeking relationship but do not know how to proceed. Even when happy with someone that fear and nerves take over. This well-crafted manga depicts the blending of two worlds as each learns from the other adjusting to make each comfortable. Learning to listen and watch. Morishita is a skillful storyteller and the translations are wonderful and full of character bringing the relationship and people to life. 

REFERENCES 

suu Morishita. (2021a) Signs of Affection. vol three. Translated by: Dashiell, Christine. New York: Kodansha Comics, 

suu Morishita. (2021b) Signs of Affection. vol three. Translated by: Dashiell, Christine. New York: Kodansha Comics. 

Image of books taken by me from the book drawn by suu Morishita 

Review of Becoming By Nora Roberts

 

Cover of The Becoming

The second book in Nora Roberts' (2022) new fantasy series brings as much adventure as the first. The characters we meet in The Awakening are back again in this action and romance novel. Again like the first there are a few scenes I could do with out, after all Nora Roberts is best known for her romance novels, but over all the story is well written and draws the reader in. 

 

Setting the Stage 

 

In this second book main character is coming into her new found powers after being spirited away to
the land of where dad from by Keegan, the Tioschroc and love interest, because he didn't believe she would come back. However, Brin? isn't the only one to come along for the trip through the makeshift portal. The two are accompanied by Marco, main character's best friend and gay roommate, into the land of her birth where magic and myth are a reality. 

 

The Threat 

 

Title Page of
The Becoming

Since main character has left the threat has become worse with multiple occurrences of entry from the dark relm and Ordin's (a god and also main character's grandfather, witch coming into their world. Keegan explains this to Brin and then there is an attack and human sacrfices are discovered at one of the sacred temples. (SPOILERS AHEAD) This attack is thwarted but there is a need to have a Judgement at the capital for those who were aiding Ordin to enter the world of Talma. The attack took place on the festival of Sahmwain a sacred time where the dead are close to the living. The judgment is where things start for main character to become real and her true power becomes apparent to many in the capital, including a former lover of Keegan's. While the power demonstrated at the Judgement proves that she is the decendenat of Marg and character's father it also shows the great potential she has. 

 

However, there are now two enemies, one close at hand mad with jealousy and a second barely held at bay by magic forces. If either of them succeed the land may be lost to darkness forever. These two threats are skillfully woven together to be separate yet the same by Roberts (2022), causing both to interest the reader and move the story ahead. While the characters are trying to fight a large battle there is also the fear of petty revenge, neither of which can be taken lightly. The suspense of the immediate threat mixed with the tensions between the characters because of a love they try to suppress makes the story move quickly toward an uneasy resolution only to continue hopefully in the next installment. 

 

A Temporary Reprieve (SPOILERS) 

 

Sadly, the jealous woman's name does finally snap fully and breaks a sacred law trying to make Keegan love her by a forbidden potion. This is discovered and angers Keegan and others drawing them into an all out search for her as she tries to escape. That evening she attempts to murder *Brin* but is stopped by Bollocks, the dog. During the escape of woman a young man injured and she ends up “joining” forces with Ordin. However, one bright side is they learn of the breach the witch had made to enter their world from the dark realm and are able to seal it! 

 

This is the climax of the story but not the end. There is much still to resolve, such as brin angry with Keegan for his actions  before they seal the portal and not telling her everything. Also, another surprise for her as she learns more about her self, powers, and legacy in Talmah. 

 

Roberts (2022) skillfully draws the readers along in the action packed section of the tale, though there is also a number of sex scenes that this reader could have done with out. If you skip those pages the tale itself is well written and gives a moment to breath for the characters at the end of the book. However, it is obvious this is only temporary as they return to training and exploring new found friends and abilities. 

 

Summary/Opinion 

 

While I enjoy the book, except as noted above there are sections that I do not care for, such as the descriptive sex/adult scenes, in the writings though sadly this is Nora Roberts' style. If these were not in the book I could recommend it to more people with less hesitation. As it stands I must put the warning of adult content on this and say the book is for mature audiences. The fantasy elements of the book lend themselves to a high fantasy world that is connected to our own, in a way similar to Avalon in Stephen Lawhead's books or Narnia, but the adult scenes make this book not for everyone. This book is for those who enjoy fantasy and do not mind some romance and can either be fine with skipping the parts or are ok with them. I do not mind the love interests after all the characters are young adults, mid 30s, so it will happen, but don't need to know exactly every aspect of relations between them. Over all the world build by Roberts (2022) is well formed and expanding in this second volume of her series about Talmah. If you wish to read the story begin with The Awakening to be introduced to the characters and continue their story in this book. Eagerly awaiting the next book in this series to see how and if they succeed at saving Talmah and the worlds. 

 

Reference 

 

Roberts, N. (2022). The Becoming. New York: Publisher. St. Martin's Press.

Images of the Book Taken by Me